Volunteer has made teddies for Bunbury hospital for 10 years

Bunbury Hospital volunteer Dot Morrison has been putting a smile on the faces of children, parents and patients for more than 10 years with her handmade toys and blankets.

Ms Morrison, pictured, said last year she donated around 460 items, including teddies, cats, blankets and octopuses, that were handed out at the hospital.

“I usually take over about 80 every couple of months,” she said.

Ms Morrison started the donations after a hospital carer at her embroidery group gave the teddy she made to children in emergency.

“I’ve always been one for sewing and hand embroidery when I was young so I’ve kept it up,” she said.

Ms Morrison said she enjoyed spending her nights making the toys and estimated she made around a dozen a week.

I’ve got to have something in my hands because if I sit there I’ll go to sleep and then I go to bed and I cant sleep. I’m 81 now so you’ve got to keep the old brain going.

Friends and volunteers donate the necessary materials for the toys, so Ms Morrison only has to buy stuffing.

Michelle Simpson, of Eaton, said her son got a teddy when he was in hospital.

“It was a great comfort when my son broke his arm and it is now one of his favourite comfort toys that he sleeps with every night,” she said.